It is part of a restructure that is set to affect management roles, including those in charge of warehouses.

But it will also see the creation of 1, 700 more junior job roles which will include shop checkout staff and shelf stackers.

It is understood that there are around 800 current management vacancies at Morrisons, which current managers can apply for. But this means that around 700 senior workers will either face redundancy or a lower paying job if they stay with the company.

Gary Mills, Morrisons retail director, said: “Very regrettably, there will be a period of uncertainty for some managers affected by these proposals and we’ll be supporting them through this important process. Our commitment is to redeploy as many affected colleagues as possible.”

Joanne McGuinness, national officer for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, described the move - due to take effect in April - as another 'big upheaval' for workers.

She added: "Our priorities are to avoid redundancies and help our members stay employed within the business."

Morrisons became the latest supermarket to shake up its workforce as the sector scrambles to adapt to changing shopping habits.

The move comes just a week after Sainsbury's announced a restructure designed to save £500 million.

The supermarket chain - which has about 20 stores across Sheffield - is cutting costs over the next three years with employees potentially facing demotion.

Sainsbury's has not yet confirmed the number of staff affected by the move or the locations but accepted it is "in the thousands."